David Tatum Elms

Pastor David Tatum Elms (known to us as Dad, Papa, Daddio, and Bishop) graduated to be with the Lord on January 18, 2025.

He was born on April 7, 1943, in DeLeon, Texas, to “Fireball” Finley and Pauline (the Great) Elms. To support the war effort, the family moved to San Diego, California, where they became founding members of Revival Tabernacle, pastored by the inimitable David F. Gray. Revival Tabernacle left its imprint on the Elms family, inspiring all four sons—Bernard, Royce, David, and Wendell—to devote their lives to ministry.

David thrived at Revival Tabernacle, learning to serve in every way: youth ministry, Sunday school teacher, song leader, and Bible teacher. In 1962, he married Linda Marlene Benson, the love of his life. Love, for David and Linda, was not a word to whisper but a bond to live. And he lived it out loud.

David followed his father’s footsteps, working for the Navy, though his first career dream was to teach high school. To make it happen, he worked the third shift and attended San Diego State University by day. He’d later chuckle, telling his kids that sleep was a stranger in those years. Yet sleepless nights didn’t slow him down. He and Linda built their family with Melody Lynn in 1964, David Timothy in 1966, and Nate the Great in 1971.

But God’s call grew louder. Pastor Gray, ever wise, reminded David of the challenges of stepping into ministry at age 30 with three small children to support. Yet, David was compelled. “It was now or never,” he’d say. In 1975, after three and a half years of evangelizing, he and Linda were elected pastors of the First United Pentecostal Church of Charlotte, launching a ministry that would span 33 years as pastor and 17 more as bishop.

David didn’t just pastor a church; he loved people. He served passionately in the broader work of the United Pentecostal Church International, pouring his energy into the Youth Division, Foreign Missions, Home Missions, Sunday School, and as superintendent of the North Carolina District.

If you didn’t know him personally, you missed a man who loved deeply. Indeed, David LOVED Linda Marlene. Sixty-two years of handholding, laughter, and whispered prayers. His last words were to her—she said, “I love you forever!” In his guff and belabored whisper, he echoed: “Forever and ever.”

He LOVED his kids and grandkids, writing unique songs for each one and singing them—loudly and joyfully—wherever they were, public decorum be hanged. He LOVED the church, standing firm in apostolic truth while letting his love overflow to believers across every divide. He LOVED his brothers, Bernard, Royce, and Wendell, with a fierce and abiding bond. Most of all, he LOVED the Lord Jesus Christ, filling every moment with praise, testimony, and song.

David is survived by his wife, Linda Marlene Elms; his brothers, Bernard (Sandy) Elms and Wendell (Linda) Elms; his children, Melody Lynn, David Timothy, and Nathan Joel; his grandchildren, Jordan Eliseo and Savannah Eliseo-Tackett (children of Melody and Glenn Eliseo), Austen Elms, Scarlett Bonilla, Winter Viles, and Ethan Elms (children of David and Melanie Elms), and Durant and Ellery Elms (children of Nathan and Charla Elms); and his great-grandchildren, Vincent, Valentina, and Rocco (children of Jonathan and Savannah Tackett), and River and Vienna (children of Austin and Tessa Elms).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Finley and Pauline Elms, and his brother, Royce Elms.

His life? An offering of faith and tireless devotion. His legacy? Woven into the lives he inspired. His testimony? A hymn of worship and thanksgiving. Forever and ever. Amen.

A visitation for David will be held Friday, January 24, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at First Church Charlotte, 4929 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205. A funeral service will occur Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM at First Church Charlotte.